Huntington Times

The West Virginia State University baseball team (10-10, 5-3 MEC) was defeated by Malone (12-11, 2-6 GMAC) by a final score of 7-4 on Tuesday afternoon. The nine-inning game was the first road test of the season for the Yellow Jackets.

The first three innings of the contest were scoreless as both teams struggled to generate any offense. 

In the top of the fourth, West Virginia State put an end to the stalemate. Connor Fizer tripled to right field for the first extra base hit of the game. Nathan Paulsen grounded out to the shortstop in the next at bat, but picked up an RBI when Fizer was able to score, 1-0. With the bases empty, Mike Huber stepped up to the plate and belted a homerun over the left field fence, 2-0.

The lead did not last long for the Yellow Jackets as Malone went on to post four runs in the bottom of the fourth. A single to leadoff the half inning put a baserunner on before two outs followed. A triple then scored the runner from first before back-to-back doubles scored two more runs, 3-2. A fourth run was scored on a single through the left side of the infield, 4-2, before the final out was finally registered.

In the top of the fifth, State got one run back with three singles in succession. Michael Bittinger was first to single before Kyle Waters and then Ryan Kay each singled to bring Bittinger around, 4-3.

The deficit then increased to three runs in the ensuing half inning. Back-to-back doubles scored the first run for the Pioneers before a second run was scored on an RBI-single, 6-3.

Malone tacked on another run in the bottom of the sixth with an RBI-double to leave the Yellow Jackets four runs down, 7-3, with three innings to go.

State made one run up in the top of the eighth. Huber reached base on balls before two separate pick off attempts by the pitcher went awry and allowed him to get to third base. A passed ball then allowed him to touch home plate, 7-4.

A comeback was not in the cards in the top of the ninth. Malone's closer entered the game and retired the side in order.

Huber went 2-for-3 with a homerun, two runs scored, and one run batted in. 

The Yellow Jackets went through eight pitchers in an attempt to keep the game close for a potential comeback.

State will return to Institute for a doubleheader against Notre Dame College on Saturday, April 1 next. The first pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m.

Original source can be found here